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Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue:
A yearlong celebration of Euro-Mediterranean identity and cooperation

Overview

Background

Who can apply?

Awarding criteria

Call for MCCD 2025

Timeline

Brochure

Contacts

Overview

The Euro-Mediterranean region boasts a rich and diverse heritage, shaped by centuries of cultural exchange. A melting pot of different languages, traditions and customs, the region shares a heritage and a deep sense of identity and belonging. Today, this cultural legacy continues to inspire and inform our shared values and aspirations, reminding us of the importance of building bridges and fostering understanding between cultures.

In that spirit, the 43 Member States of the Union for the Mediterranean launched the “Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue” initiative during their 7th Regional Forum in November 2022.

Based on the call of Ministers of Culture of the Euro-Mediterranean region on 17 June 2022 in Naples, as well as the recommendation of more than 200 young representatives from the civil society of over 20 countries at the Forum des Mondes Méditerranéens on 7 February 2022 in Marseille, this initiative was shaped to further promote the diversity and shared identity of the Euro-Mediterranean region and contribute to a better mutual understanding of its peoples.

The Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue is an initiative jointly coordinated by the Union for the Mediterranean and the Anna Lindh Foundation.

Apply now!

How is the initiative shaped?

cities-003

Background

On 7 February 2022, in the framework of the Forum des Mondes Méditerranéens, more than 200 young representatives from civil society from over 20 countries presented their recommendations for a more sustainable, inclusive and integrated Mediterranean to policy-makers. Among these, the proposals to “create a Mediterranean event-which “would take place over a full year by conferring to a Mediterranean city the designation of Capital of the Mediterranean” was put forward. In their view, this Mediterranean capital would be the centre for the unification of talents from all the countries around the region, by organizing within its territory various cultural, sporting, economic, academic, and social events (…). It would ‎stimulate networking and exchanges, promote talents and innovations of ‎Mediterranean actors, while stimulating investment into infrastructure and land planning. Beside employment and professional mobility opportunities, the organisation of such event would enhance the role of citizens’ initiatives and the ‎civil society”.‎

Moreover, in their Declaration of 17 June 2022 in Naples, Ministers of Culture of the Euro-Mediterranean region called to “promote new joint initiatives to foster culture-led development and regeneration, on the model of the European Capital of Culture, in coordination with (…) the Union for the Mediterranean, taking into account similar initiatives.

Building on this unique momentum of shared ambition, the UfM and the ALF designed and launched the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue initiative, in close cooperation and coordination with the young civil society representatives at its origins, as well as the UfM member states, through a collaborative and open approach.

EURO-MEDITERRANEAN IDENTITY

Encouraging intercultural dialogue and greater mutual understanding across the Euro-Mediterranean region: the initiative will aim to combine local objectives and realities with solid regional visions.

TERRITORIAL COOPERATION

Promoting innovative partnerships at the local level to enhance regional integration: collaboration will be open to all eligible cities, irrespective of previous cooperation and territorial collocation, to promote fruitful interactions of territories with limited integration.

BOTTOM-UP APPROACH

Strengthening the role of civil society, and particularly young people, in shaping Euro-Mediterranean cooperation: every step of the initiative is designed and implemented in close cooperation with networks of youth and civil society actors.

Who can apply?

  • Local or regional authorities, regardless of the size of the city.

  • Located in a country of the Union for the Mediterranean, regardless of whether the city is on the coast or inland.

  • Cities never designated Mediterranean Capital of Culture & Dialogue before.

Awarding criteria

THE PROGRAMME

  • Offering programmes which may include conferences and seminars on topics critical to the region, civic engagement initiatives, and cultural performances that celebrate the Euro-Mediterranean identity and diversity, coordinated by local authorities with the support of a coalition of cultural institutions, schools and universities, sports institutions, civil society organisations, and other relevant actors.
  • With a coherent, strategic, and consistent approach, clear objectives and demonstrated ability to deliver.
  • It is not required to follow a standard programme template or foresee a minimum number of activities. However, the proposal must include a general overview of the programme deployment throughout the year, emphasising: 1) the involvement of cultural actors and civil society organisations in the conception and implementation of the programme; 2) the range and diversity of the activities proposed and their overall quality; 3) and the capacity to combine the promotion of local tangible cultural heritage and living heritage practices with the support for contemporary cultural and creative domains. The use of innovative digital tools and creative methodologies will be highly valued.

The program shall culminate in a large celebration on the Day of the Mediterranean.

EURO-MEDITERRANEAN DIMENSION

  • Successful applications shall combine local objectives with a solid regional vision, to broaden the understanding and awareness of their citizens on the richness and diversity of cultures in the Euro-Mediterranean region, as well as on the commonalities between these cultures, heritage, and history. The programme could address current regional challenges identified by UfM members.
  • The programme shall feature Euro-Mediterranean artists and participants and encourage international partnerships to attract the interest of a broad Euro-Mediterranean and global public.
  • Finally, the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue designation rests on an active partnership between the two designated cities: the two cities will be invited to collaborate in the manner and level of interaction deemed appropriate by them, demonstrating viable and assessable modalities and content to enable collaboration with the counterpart.

Each city is expected to submit one individual application, which will be evaluated as a stand-alone proposal. Cities may but are not obliged to refer to cooperation agreements with a counterpart city established in the framework of the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue application process.

CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT

  • Particular attention will be given to the role played by civil society in implementing the programmes and their accessibility to the general public and specifically to young people, the elderly and women. The programme should be rich and varied enough to involve the entire population and inform them of ongoing regional projects they could benefit directly from. ‎
  • The involvement of the local civil society community in preparing the application and implementing the initiative will be a fundamental award criterion.
  • Partnerships between local authorities and at least one civil society organisation member of one of the ALF National Networks are strongly recommended and will be highly valued.

Complementary awarding criteria regarding governance and management, communication, financing and the environmental impact of the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue are detailed in the call for proposals.

Call for Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue 2025

Before submitting your application, please read carefully all the documentation.

Terms
of Reference

Call for Applications
2025

ANNEX I:
Application Form

ANNEX II:
Declaration of honour

ANNEX III:
Legal entity form

ANNEX IV:
Calendar

ANNEX V:
Scores table

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Timeline

Launch of the call for applications 

Opening of the call

25 April 2023

Deadline for applications

Deadline for applications 

23 July 2023

Evaluation of the applications

Assessment by Advisory Committee

15 August 2023

Consultation of the recommendations with the UfM Co-Presidency

15 August-15 September 2023

Submission to the UfM Senior Officials and deliberations

15 September-30 October

Selection of the two cities

November 2023

Announcement

Announcement of the two first Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue 2025

28 November 2023: Day of the Mediterranean/8th UfM Regional Forum

Preparation of the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue 2025

Meetings with the two selected cities

December 2023/January 2024

May/June 2024

October/November 2024

Contacts

Coordination

Ms. Rim Filali Meknassi, UfM Secretariat
Mr. Alessandro Lamonica, ALF Secretariat
info@medculturecapital.com

Press

+34 935 214 137
media@ufmsecretariat.org

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